Gold Catalysis: Synthesis of 3‐Acylindenes from 2‐Alkynylaryl Epoxides

Abstract

Abstract A series of 2‐alkynylaryl epoxides were prepared by a sequence of Sonogashira coupling, Wittig olefination and epoxidation or a Darzens’ glycid ester synthesis. The conversion of these substrates with gold(I) catalysts furnished 3‐acylindenes and, in occasional cases as side‐products, the products of an isomerization of the oxirane ring to a ketone. Isotope labelling of the epoxide oxygen indicates an intramolecular oxygen transfer.